Katharine Ann Hughes

Katharine Ann Hughes, 85 of Lima, passed away November 18, 2025, at Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center.
Kate was born December 4, 1939 in Lima, to Oscar and Mabel (McGuire) Zapp, who preceded her in death. On August 17, 1958 she married the love of her life, Loren G. Hughes, who survives her in Lima.
Kate was a 1957 graduate of Lima Senior High School and she worked as an Assembler at Ford Motor Company for many years until her retirement. Kate was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and she was a member of the Red Hat Society in Van Wert and Lima, among others. She was an incredibly talented artist. Kate loved working with stained glass and made many beautiful designs. She worked with neon signs and was an incredibly accomplished wood carver. Kate enjoyed traveling far and wide with her husband. They went on many different vacations together and they particularly enjoyed hunting big game. She was an avid euchre player and one might even call her a card shark. Kate and Loren were quite the euchre partners and would often win the bread prize at the Ada Community Center. Most of all, Kate loved her family. She was a beloved wife and mother and she will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
In addition to her husband, Kate is survived by her children, Dawn Bechtel, Shelly (Melvin) Smith and Beverly Hughes; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and her brother, Gary (Gail) Zapp.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her twin sons, Larry and Terry Hughes.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Sager Lodge #513, 1930 Swaney Rd., Harrod, OH 45850, at 4:30 PM on Thursday, December 4, 2025, which is Kate's birthday. A dinner will follow the service until 8:00 PM.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Katharine Ann Hughes, please visit our floral store.